I recently went to the festival for the first time hoping to experience a variety of cultures through their foods and drinks. It was a great day full of delicious food (and, of course, alcohol), but it was also a fun way to learn about the diverse world we live in — all without even leaving Orlando. Here are my top 7 food and drink pairings from the day:

1. Morocco

The Food: Kefta Pocket (seasoned ground beef in a pita pocket)

Photo courtesy of easywdw.com

The flavor of the pocket was unbelievable. The ground beef had perfect amounts of pepper, flavorful vegetables, and texture, all stuffed in an airy pita pocket. This paired great with an ice cold Casa beer that went down smooth and cooled me off in the Florida heat.

The Drink: Casa Beer

Photo by Daniel Paz

2. China

The Food: Gaoli Beef Slider

Photo coutesy of tastychomps.com

The Gaoli beef slider had a unique flavor and texture all of its own. It was wonderfully seasoned with a nice crunch and a few slices of onion that really woke up my tastebuds and sent it over the top. I decided to pair it with a Tsingtao beer, which complemented the slider really well.

The Drink: Tsingtao Beer

Photo by Daniel Paz

3. Poland

The Food: Kielbasa and Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream

Photo courtesy of themeparkinsider.com

The kielbasa was amazing, and adding the potato pierogi and caramelized onions made it even better — to the point where I was making sure I ate every last bite of it. The Okocim O.K. beer was a bit sharp in taste, but the added flavor of the kielbasa helped round everything out and paired nicely.

The Drink: Okocim O.K. Beer

Photo by Daniel Paz

4. Belgium

After so many amazing savory foods, I was really craving some sugar, and my stop in Belgium offered just the thing I was looking for. This Belgian waffle with chocolate ganache and whipped cream was unbelievable. Seriously, every bite made my eyes roll in pure joy.

5. Japan

I love trying new things, so I was excited to see what this mysterious bun was hiding inside. The second I took my first bite, I was overwhelmed with the flavors of the chicken and sweet teriyaki sauce, which paired well with the fresh flavor of the vegetables. The Kirin draft beer was excellent, and had a smooth flavor that went perfectly with the steamed bun.

The Drink: Kirin Draft Beer

Photo by Daniel Paz

6. Dominican Republic

Being a Spanish person, I’ve had this type of food too many times to count. I was surprised by how good the lechon (roasted pork) was. It was very juicy, and the mangu (boiled and smashed plantains) added a great punch of flavor. I paired this with an ice cold Presidente Pilsner beer, which helped me kick back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the day.

The Drink: Presidente Pilsner Beer

Photo by Daniel Paz

7. Brazil

Whether it’s mashed or fried, I love yuca — a starchy root vegetable similar to the potato. This dish was fantastic. Once you break into the yuca meat pie, you’re greeted with flavors of meat, yuca, and pungent spices. The Kaiser Brewery Xingu Black beer is definitely an acquired taste, but it went surprisingly well with this plate.